Discussions on both predicament and tittle-tattle have been opened ahead of BNP’s upcoming decision about participating Bagura 6 by-polls and candidacies as well.
The constituency was announced vacant as the winner BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the 11th general election on Dec 30, 2018, did not take oath within 90 days. However, five winners among the all six BNP candidates took oath within Apr 29.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury announced the constituency vacant in parliament on Tuesday (April 30).
According to Article 67 of the Constitution, a Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat if he or she fails to take oath or affirm to do so within 90 days of date of the first meeting of parliament after election.
Now the discussion on the issue has been prompted about BNP’s decision of taking part in upcoming by- polls on Bagura 6 constituency and if they participate then who will be announced as candidate.
While answering on the BNP’s participation and candidacy issues, party’s standing committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar said, “If we decide to participate the by-polls, Mirza Fakhrul would continue as candidate.”
He however, emphasized on the party’s decision first in participating on the polls than candidacy.
Other standing committee members didn’t opine on the issue and hinted that party’s acting Chairperson Tarique Rahaman’s decision will be followed.
Different reliable sources of the party told Bangla Tribune that they will not go for any by-polls or polls under the incumbent government.
Khaleda Zia’s lawyer Advocate Aminul Islam said, Khaleda Zia submitted nomination papers as a candidate for the eleventh parliamentary elections. When the Election Commission declared her candidacy illegal, we filed a writ petition to the High Court against the decision. Later, the writ petition rejected the High Court division. We also moved to the Supreme Court against this decision and the application is still on pending. The High Court has a divided order in this regard.
He said, “In previous High Court order, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and many others were allowed to elections even after being convicted. Convicted Lutfuzzaman Babar was also allowed.
Advocate Aminul Islam also said, "Since the issue is same, therefore Khaleda Zia will be able to choose until the final verdict in the Appellate Division which is now pending. Appellate Division is to settle it first. Only then can she participate in any election. We are also thinking that since her sentence has not been finalised and that’s why she can participate in any election.”
The BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront secured eight seats out of 300 in the 11th parliamentary election. Of those, BNP got six, while its ally Gano Forum bagged two.
Among them, all the Jatiya Oikya Front MPs-elect except Mirza Fakhrul Islam took oath as MPs within the stipulated time.